By Sam Bennison

To Your Health

Three children have died from influenza in B.C: Unvaccinated populations at risk

Jan 9, 2024 | 4:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—The BC Center for Disease Control reports that three children have died across the province as influenza cases continue to rise and children who are not vaccinated are increasingly at risk.

Northern Health region features the lowest childhood vaccination rates across the province with less than 10 percent of people aged six months to seventeen years who are vaccinated.

“We have had some children hospitalized with influenza. But I understand that it’s not any more frequent at this point in the flu season than we would normally expect to see. This season, it looks like the numbers are just climbing now,” says Dr. Kirsten Miller, pediatrician for Northern Health. “My worry and probably most of the physicians that work in emergency rooms and with children are that we may now start to see more children sick enough to be hospitalized.,”

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For the past two years the Influenza strain has been particularly harsh on children. When the child is fighting influenza other bacterial infections will take advantage of the weakened immune system causing further complications. If your child develops a flu Northern Health suggests seeking medical attention before things go from bad to worse.

“They’re now suggesting that we actually treat kids who might have influenza with an antiviral treatment, and that’s not something that is done every year all the time,” explains Dr. Miller. “But it’s really relevant where we live because living in rural and remote areas is considered a risk factor. So that’s just something for people to think about that if if the kids aren’t vaccinated and they do come down with what looks like a flu and a pretty bad flu like fever, aches, pains, chills, runny nose, you know, poor drinking, probably you do need to seek medical attention,”

Even though the vaccine rollout began in fall it’s never too late to get vaccinated and protect your family and loved ones.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com